Ohio State notes: Offense could receive boost from Hyde's return

COLUMBUS — The Ohio State offense is averaging 44.7 points and 504 yards per game.
Not like the Buckeyes need any help, but they’ll get one of their primary weapons back on Saturday when Carlos Hyde returns from a three-game suspension for an offseason altercation in a Columbus bar.
As a junior, Hyde ran for 970 yards and 16 touchdowns.
The 6-foot, 235-pounder from Naples, Fla., adds another threat to an already potent Ohio State offense against a Florida A&M team that will already have enough trouble slowing down the opposition this weekend.
“As of now, he’s back,” Ohio State coach Urban Meyer said on Monday at the weekly news conferences at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. “We’re anxious. He’s done a really good job. He’s running the scout team and has had a very good attitude (and) taken care of business in the classroom.
“We are anxious to get Carlos back.”
With Hyde out of action, the brunt of the running load has been handled by fifth-year senior Jordan Hall. Through three games, Hall has run for 402 yards (134 per game) and six touchdowns. He is also the team’s third-leading receiver (eight catches, 34 yards).
The Buckeyes have options with the 5-foot-9, 191-pounder from Jeannette, Pa., such as giving him some reps at the H-Back/slot position or simply splitting carries with Hyde and others.
Either way, Meyer promised Hall isn’t going to become a forgotten man.
“It’s a good issue to have,” Meyer said, “because Carlos did a lot for us a year ago. A lot.
“But Jordan Hall has certainly earned the right to touch the ball in a big way.”Champion status
Meyer announced 14 players as grading out with champion efforts from last week’s 52-34 victory over California.
In light of the Buckeyes running up more than 600 yards of offense and giving up 34 points, it should come as no surprise that the offensive champions greatly outnumbered the defensive champions.
The offensive player of the game was quarterback Kenny Guiton, with other offensive champions being tight end Jeff Heuerman, Jordan Hall, linemen Jack Mewhort, Marcus Hall and Taylor Decker, and a quartet of receivers ­— Corey “Philly” Brown, Devin Smith, Evan Spencer and Chris Fields.
The defensive player of the game was freshman Joey Bosa. The only other OSU defender to grade out a champion was safety Christian Bryant.
Special teams player of the week was Corey “Pittsburgh” Brown, with Jamal Marcus also getting recognition.
The most interesting omission from the list was linebacker Ryan Shazier, who piled up 12 tackles (10 solo). Shazier was left off Meyer’s list of champions but was still named the Big Ten defensive player of the week.
“I thought Ryan Shazier had four or five missed tackles,” Meyer said.
In all, Meyer said Ohio State missed 16 tackles against the Golden Bears.
“That’s something we have to get better at,” Meyer said.Bosa time
Between some injuries and an impressive ability to adapt quickly, Bosa has found himself smack in the middle of Ohio State’s rotation of defensive linemen.
The 6-foot-6, 275-pounder from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., has 10 tackles thus far, with two tackles for loss.
His opportunity increased when defensive lineman Tommy Schutt (foot) and Adolphus Washington (groin) got injured. All signs point to Bosa being a permanent fixture on the line.
“His development was much faster than I think a lot of people thought it would be,” defensive line coach Mike Vrabel said. “Certainly he’s a much smarter football player as a freshman than I had ever envisioned.”
Meyer said Washington is doubtful for this week’s game, while Schutt will be out until mid-season.Time out, Buckeyes
Whether it’s because of a red-eye flight back to Columbus early Sunday morning or a questionable opponent in Week 4 against Florida A&M, Ohio State is changing up its practice schedule this week.
Ohio State’s flight from Berkeley did not arrive in Columbus until 6 a.m. Sunday. Meyer called the flight “awful,” and that “old guys can’t sleep on planes very well.”
Meyer gave the Buckeyes a day off Sunday. Monday included light workouts, with younger players who did not play at Cal getting in some practice time.
“Then (Tuesday) we’ll go out full speed ahead,” Meyer said.Not quite
Tight ends coach Tim Hinton said freshman Marcus Baugh is “coming along really well,” but sounded as if Baugh is not real close to getting playing time.
“The honest truth is, he has not caught the ball as well as we want him to at this point in the year,” Hinton said.Name game
Ohio State changed the name of its rushside defensive end from “Leo” to “Viper” this season. But Vrabel said the position, manned by sophomore Noah Spence, is no different than it’s been in year’s past.
“We just thought Viper sounded cooler,” Vrabel said with a smile.Video of defensive line coach Mike VrabelVideo of linebacker Ryan Shazier